cucumber pickles

for me. i love pickles.
i couldn't believe how easy creating my own pickles could be.

ingredients
4 large cucumbers
2 cups white vinegar
1.5 tblspns sugar
strips of red pepper (optional)
1 tspn salt
1/2 cup hot water
2 tspns seeded mustard (optional)

method
1. wash cucumbers, slice thinly and arrange in layers sprinkling salt between layers - cover overnight, drain well.
2. combine vinegar, hot water, sugar, mustard seeds and salt and bring to the boil. simmer uncovered for 15minutes. add cucumber, bring to the boil. put in jars.

NOTE: rock salt does not work as effectively as using a salt mill. lesson learnt.